Funeral services for Howard Hanni will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at the Murray County Expo Center with Bro. Thomas Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery.
Howard was born on Nov. 1, 1931, in Sayre, Okla., to the late Henry and Chelena (Gates) Hanni. He passed away Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, in Ardmore at the age of 78. Howard and Naomi VanVacter were married on Aug. 10, 1952, in Carter, Okla.
After graduating from Berlin High School in 1949, Howard continued his education at Oklahoma A&M, where he received his bachelors in Agricultural Education in 1955. Shortly after accepting a teaching position in Kansas, Howard was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve during the Korean Conflict. Because of the teaching position, he was eligible for a one-year deferral from the war; however, Howard elected to pass on the teaching position and serve his country.
Howard’s teaching career began in 1957 in Oktaha, Okla., where he was instrumental in starting an FFA chapter. After two years, he and Naomi moved to Davis where he became the Vocational Agricultural teacher. While teaching, Howard was revered as much more than just an educator; he became a friend to his students, as well as the community. Howard took time to work with students to keep them active in school and receive their education. He greatly enjoyed helping FFA and 4-H members achieve their goals. In recognition for his loyal devotion to the 4-H and FFA students of Murray County, the Murray County Junior Livestock show was named in his honor in 1990. Though he was a friend to his students, he required the utmost respect and had total discipline in his classrooms. He is known by many for one who was able to get his point across with the paddle.
Howard retired from the Davis Public School systems in 1990. In August of that year, he was recognized by the Oklahoma Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association for his 33 years of service in Ag Education. Throughout his life, Howard received many honors and recognitions, including an Honorary State FFA Member; an Honorary Member of the Davis FFA Chapter; past president and member of the Davis Board of Education, the Davis Kiwanis Club, where he had 46 years of service to the club, the longest of any living member; the Murray County Excise Board; Davis Chamber of Commerce and a past Deacon at the East Main Church of Christ in Davis. One recognition that Howard was proud of was being voted the “Healthiest 4-H Member” in 1948. He was currently an active member of the Davis Aggie Club, as well as the current president of the Murray County Cattleman’s Association.
